Odysseus is stuck on Calypso's island because she has fallen in love with him and kept him there against his will. Although he longs to return to his home in Ithaca and to his wife, Penelope, Calypso offers him immortality and a life of luxury, which he initially finds difficult to resist. Ultimately, the gods intervene, and Hermes is sent to tell Calypso to let Odysseus go, highlighting the tension between divine will and human desire.
For seven years!
7 years
Weeping.
Odysseus ends up at calypsos island where he is standed there for seven years. There he meets the immortal calypso and fatally falls for her just as she falls for him. She keeps him on her island by not giving him the tools he needs to make a raft.
Athena told her father Zeus that Odysseus wanted to go home to see his wife and son so Zeus told Hermes to go and tell Calypso to let Odysseus leave her island. She agreed and told Odysseus to make a boat and she gave him food and wine for his journey
Ogygia
The gift of bribary
The gods send a letter to Calypso so she can release Odysseus.
Odysseus was stuck on Calypso's island, Ogygia, for seven years. Calypso, a nymph, kept him there, wanting him to stay with her as her husband. Despite her affection, Odysseus longed to return to his home in Ithaca and his wife, Penelope. Ultimately, the gods intervened, leading to his release.
Odysseus and his men returned to Calypso's island, Ogygia, primarily because Odysseus was held captive there by Calypso, who desired him as her immortal husband. Their return highlights the themes of longing for home and the struggle between desire and duty, as Odysseus ultimately seeks to return to Ithaca and his wife, Penelope. Additionally, the encounter emphasizes the importance of human connections and the sacrifices made for love and loyalty, showcasing Odysseus's resilience and determination to fulfill his journey.
To leave Calypso's island, Odysseus must first persuade the nymph Calypso to let him go, as she has kept him captive and desires to make him her immortal husband. After being instructed by the god Hermes, who delivers a message from Zeus, Calypso ultimately agrees to help Odysseus build a ship and provides him with provisions for his journey. This act of liberation emphasizes the theme of yearning for freedom and the struggle against divine forces.
When Odysseus leaves Calypso's island, he is granted permission by the goddess after being held captive for seven years. She provides him with materials to build a raft, and he sets sail for home. However, Poseidon, angered by Odysseus, creates a storm that destroys his raft, and he nearly drowns before being rescued by the sea nymph Ino. Eventually, he reaches the shores of the Phaeacians, where he receives further help on his journey back to Ithaca.